The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-17
he terrible ordeal Of the searching

In illustration of the skill and au-
dscity of the native diggers, l can
not do better than to- conclude this
short sketch with a story related by
a gentleman who is one Of the LARGEST
reivate claim holders in the fields"
Wishing to test the efficacy of the
searching system, he one day gave
small diamond to one of his native
diggers, a boy Of some fourteen years,
and told him he would give him a
sovereign if he would pass the dia-
mond successfully through the
searching sheds aud return it to him.
The boy laughed and readily under
took the commission; and the owner
proceeded to notify the authorities
Of his proposed experiment, in order
that the boy, If detected, might not
suffer the penalty Of the law; but to
his utter establishment and that of
the searchers, the boy managed to
elude their vigilance, and to earn the
promised sovereign. This incident
so impressed the owner with the com
parative futility OF any searching
system, however elaborate, that he
set his wits to work to de-
wise some more effectual
check on the II ID. B." industry;
and believe it was owning largely
to his exertions that one or two
companies have adopted instead what
is known as the "close compound"
system, whereby the laborers are
never permitted to leave the prem
Uses, Cay or night, while in the SER
vice Of the company; but submit to
term Of voluntary Imprisonment in
the company's compound" or large
stockaded yard, where they are
lodged, fed and clothed at the COM
pany's expense.
The chief difficulty in enforcing
this new regulation lay in the Kaffr's
fondness for liquor, and his unwil-
lingness to forego his nightly visit to
the "canteen;" but by supplying a
limited quantity Of liquor TO the ma
tives within the precincts OF the
compound, these companies have
succeeded in inducing them to ac-
cept the new order Of things; and the
saving which they have already
effected, by reducing their loss on
stolen diamonds, has been so consid-
cradle that numerous other com
panies are preparing to follow their
example.
RIGoRs OF THE LAW.
But the abolition OF the present.
searching system at the mines, even
if accomplished, will be only one
step toward the Improvement OF the
existing state Of things at Kimber-
ley. Many other sections Of the
present code Of special laws relating
to the diamond traffic are felt to re-
quire amendment, although it is diff
fcult to suggest efficient substitutes
for them. In its present form the
diamond trade act entails grave dan
ger TO the liberty ofthe law abiding
subjects, for it gives TO the Kimber-
ley detective police q more unlimited
discretionary power TO act on mere
suspicion than exists in any other
civilized country, Russia perhaps
excepted. For instance, in every
public building, railway station, etc.,
throughout the colony placards are
posted TO the effect that ANY person
giving information to the detective
police which may lead TO the finding
Of rough diamonds in the possession
OF any person other than q licensed
diamond dealer shall be entitled TO
a reward equal TO half the value Of
such diamonds, and the name OF the
person giving such information shall
not be revealed"
How easy under such 4 system for
malicious person, who has a pri-
vate grudge against any individual,
however honest or innocent the lat
ter may be, 10 send secret iniorma
ton 10 the detective bureau, that he
has reason to suspect this person OF
traffic in stolen diamonds, thereby
enjoying the satisfaction Of seeing
his enemy arrested, imprisoned, aud
his person and premises subjected TO
the ignominous searching system,
while he is denied the criminals
usual privilege Of knowing and con-
fronting his accuser, and is thereby
debarred from bringi 9 an action for
false imprisonment. For the police
have no option in the matter. On
the receipt OF information, no matter
from what quarter, their duty re-
quires them TO act; although the per-
son accused may be the weal,hiest or
most respected citizen OF the town.
Even her majcsiys uniform is no
protection against the indignities OF
the searching system; as was exem-
plifed about a year ago in the case
OF Captain -, of the REGULAR Army,
who was proceeding 10 Cape Town by
rail, in company with lady aud a
little boy, when, at one OF the way
stations,a man entered their oompart.
ment who seemed intoxicated, and
made himself so disagreeable that he
was put of the train, at the Captains
request, at the next station. The
individual thus summarily elected
vowed v, ngeance on the whole party,
/ anu lululleu MS lnIct W NoltN iaph
ing 10 the chief oil the Detective
| Police at Kimberley that the alore-
said captain and his party had rough
diamonds in their possession and
ought to be arrested. Now, although
this half-tipsy iniormer was man
OF known bad character, who had
himself been formerly employed as q
detective, but had been dismissed
for drunkenness aud disorderly con.
duct, yet on bis representation alone
a special warrant was sent by tele'
graph TO Salt River, the next stop
ping place, for the arrest Of the en-
tire party; aud on arriving at the
station the door OF their compart
ment was unoermoniously opened By
the police, and despite the indignant
protests Of the captain, who CAV,
the officers his card, showed then
his sword case aud commission, anC
clearly proved that he had never re
sided at Kimberley, but had merel!
passed through that city en- route Il